Cisco’s new security initiative, called TrustSec, will make it possible for enterprise-wide implementation of role-based access and authentication.

An excerpt from InformationWeek:

The most important feature of TrustSec is the security measures it assigns based on the roles and identities of users. For example, access to the network is granted based on an employee’s role in the company. The “role aware” network can enforce security policies regardless of the employee’s access method, whether they’re wired, wireless, or using a mobile device, laptop, or printer.

Jon Oltsik from News.com elucidates on how Cisco’s move could also span out to include monitoring of network traffic to the detail of each application. Cisco will introduce the architecture in its equipment starting next year.

More information:

Cisco Announce Role-Based Architecture (IDM)

Cisco Tightens Network Security with Role-Based Architecture (CRN)

Cisco injects role-based access control into the network (SearchSecurity)